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Welcome!
Thank you for being here. My name is Sami (she/her) and I have been a counsellor and psychotherapist for 3 years - and I absolutely love my job. I'm an integrative counsellor and I specialise in working with anxiety, self-esteem and confidence.
I would love to be part of your journey to self discovery, growth and acceptance. I also have experience working with sexuality, gender identity, depression, bereavement, self-harm, OCD, and life stage changes. I will offer you a space where you can truly be yourself - and if you're not sure who that true self is yet, I can be a support as you discover and develop the person you want to be.
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When I'm not working, you will find me in a brightly coloured pair of dungarees hanging out with my dog.
Services
In person sessions - £45
Counselling and psychotherapy sessions based just up from Mutley Plain at the Dragonfly Wellbeing Centre (PL4 7AF). The centre is designed with wellbeing in mind and the therapy rooms offer privacy, peace and an environment for reflection and growth.
Online sessions - £45
Online sessions via Google Meet give the benefit of you being in the comfort of your own home, or any space you feel comfortable and where your privacy is protected.
Free 20 minute consultation
This introductory call is the perfect opportunity for us to see if we're a good match for working together. If you have any questions about counselling and psychotherapy, whether it may be right for you or how the process works I'd love to hear from you.
FAQs
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What's the difference between counselling and psychotherapy?These terms are often used interchangeably but there are differences between the two. Counselling typically refers to support with a specific concern or difficulty, and tends to be short-term, although this is not always the case. An example of where counselling may be beneficial is dealing with a recent loss or with a relationship concern. Psychotherapy tends to be long-term and focused on deep-rooted difficulties. An example of this may be abuse or trauma.
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What kinds of concerns does counselling and psychotherapy help with?Therapy sessions are an opportunity to for you to talk about anything you would like to discuss. This could be specific life events - such as bereavement or job change, relationship concerns, uncomfortable emotions - such as anger, sadness, grief, low self-esteem, you may want to discuss your experience with depression or anxiety. You may have experienced upsetting or traumatic experiences, either recent or in the past, counselling and psychotherapy offers a space to explore your emotions and experience in a way that is free from judgement and expectations.
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How many sessions will I need?There isn't a set answer for this as everyone's journey in therapy is different. I usually offer a review in session 6/7/8 in order to provide then opportunity to discuss how the sessions are going, to make sure we are on the right track for where you would like to focus and that we are working in line with your aims for therapy.
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How long does each session last?Each session is 50-55 minutes.
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What is your style of counselling?I am trained as an integrative counsellor and psychotherapist. This means that I draw from different theories and types of therapy to best fit what you'd like to focus on. My main theoretical approach is Person-Centred, which holds the client's unique experience at the heart of the counselling relationship. There is a fundamental belief in this theory that the client is the expert in their own experience and they have a fundamental tendency towards growth and development. I am also trained in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), which looks at how thoughts and behaviour are linked; Transpersonal, which takes a soul/spiritual, broader connection to well-being into account; and Gestalt, which views behaviour and thoughts as a whole and looks at patterns of being.
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What are your qualifications?I have a Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling and a Level 5 Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling, as well as an undergraduate BSc in Psychology and Counselling and a postgraduate MSc in Health Psychology.
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Why is your practice called Spark Counselling?Spark Counselling stems from a line in a Paramore song that I love. The full line is "it's just a spark, but it's enough to keep me going. And when it's dark out, no one's around, it keeps glowing". I love the concept of this, it takes one spark of hope, inspiration, joy, peace, whatever it is, for there to be a shift, motivation or change. This reflects how I view counselling, it takes one spark of something for someone to start therapy and make changes in their life.
About
Within some styles of counselling and psychotherapy, therapists are taught to be a 'blank slate', not sharing anything of themselves with the client. In more recent years, there has been a movement towards relational therapy which emphasises how the counselling relationship between client and therapist is of utmost importance.
With that in mind, I thought it may be useful to share some information about myself to help you decide if you feel I'm a good fit for you.
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I am 30 years old.
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I'm named after a witch (Samantha from Bewitched!).
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I have a rescue dog called Winnie, who is the best.
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Movement has always been important to me - running, dancing, walking all helps me with my own mental health.
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I am, what is considered, an elder emo - big fan of Bring Me The Horizon, Don Broco and Paramore. My practice is called Spark Counselling because of one of my favourite Paramore lyrics 'it's just a spark, but it's enough to keep me going'... I also love pop as well, Taylor Swift and Chappell Roan especially.
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I will choose comfort over style always.
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I have a hidden disability due to having a stroke at the age of 9. ​
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My favourite TV shows are Schitt's Creek, Friends and Parks and Recreation.
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​I have quite a few tattoos (one, sort of, sleeve).
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​I have volunteered in youth support work for 6 years and I love that role.
Contact
Thank you for looking at my website! The best way to see if I could help and be a good fit for you is to get in contact. Please feel free to fill in the contact form or send me and email and we can get an introductory call booked in.
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We can talk about as much or as little of what's bothering you as you like. The introductory call gives you the chance to ask any questions and to see if we'd be a good match for working together.
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Email: spark.counselling1@gmail.com
I am not able to provide a crisis service. If you need emergency assistance, please call 999. Other useful contacts might be:
Mind: www.mind.org.uk - phone: 0300 102 1234
Samaritans: www.samaritans.org - phone: 116 123